Analysis of ablation properties of piston of aluminum borate whisker reinforced Al-Si matrix composites

To assess ablation properties of piston made from aluminum borate whisker-reinforced Al-Si matrix composites, the ablation behavior of aluminum borate whisker-reinforced Al-Si matrix composites was investigated. The ablation model and mechanism of Al-Si matrix composites were analyzed. In addition, finite element simulation on the ablation behavior of piston of Al-Si matrix composites was conducted. Results show that the strength of the aluminum borate whisker-reinforced Al-Si matrix composites was large, the structure was dense, and the ablation volume was small. The ablation mechanism of the Al-Si matrix composites was a combination of gas flow erosion and melting ablation. The established ablation model and the calculation methods could properly complete the simulative calculation for piston. The aluminum borate whisker-reinforced Al-Si matrix composite is an ideal anti-ablation piston material.